Dense Straight Heavy Hair

Dense Straight Heavy Hair (Type 1C)

Quick look

• Type code: Type 1C — Dense Straight Heavy Hair.
• Texture & porosity: Thick, round fibers often measuring 80 micrometers or more build weight rapidly and hold on to moisture, so they read dense from scalp to ends.¹
• Risk factors: Surface thinning or random slide work can fuzz the cuticle and create shelf lines that the client will see once the hair rebounds.²
• Tool pairing: Establish the outline with a micro-serrated bevel, then switch to long convex or slide-cutting shears and a 20-24 tooth texturizer to collapse internal bulk in a controlled way.²

Why it matters

High-density straight hair demands a deliberate plan: the perimeter still needs support, but the interior must be relieved or it balloons. Combining anchor passes with precision channel work lets you reduce weight while keeping the outline calm and polished.²

Technique map

• Begin with a blunt perimeter so the heavy fiber has something to rest on before you touch the interior.²
• Create a wide triangle below the parietal ridge and channel cut with a slide shear, using a talking motion down the strand to collapse crown bulk.²
• Vary your entry point through the mid-shaft and repeat the channel passes until the section releases evenly, stopping short of the ends to preserve strength.²
• Finish with a pass of a high-tooth blender or reversible blending shear to soften any ridges without disturbing the bottom line.²

Usage notes

1. Work dry whenever possible; seeing the weight fall in real time helps prevent over-removal in dense zones.²
2. Keep sections palm-width or smaller so the slide shear can travel cleanly without corrugating the surface.²
3. Brush vertically after each debulking pass to let loose hair escape—residual strands can jam shears on the next channel.²

Maintenance / Client Care

• Recommend clients detangle with a conditioner that leaves a light lubricant film so combing forces stay low on dense fibers.³
• Suggest layering a lightweight oil through mid-lengths before blow-drying; it reduces friction and keeps the cuticle lying flat.³
• Plan six to eight week dustings to keep the perimeter sharp and prevent crown bulk from crowding back in.²

Related Types & Sources

Related hair types: Straight Hair with Swing (Type 1B), Loose Wave Hair (Type 2A)

Sources

1. High-throughput phenotyping methods for quantifying hair fiber morphology
2. Weight Removal 101
3. Hair Cosmetics: An Overview